Las Vegas, NV (June 11, 2013) – NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today joined The Broadway Collection, emcee Cyndi Lauper, and NYC & Company George Fertitta to present a ’New York Center Stage’ Broadway and Off Broadway experience during the IPW luncheon at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The entertainment featured performances by Broadway shows Tony Award winning Kinky Boots, Wicked, Once and Chicago as well as the Off- Broadway show Stomp.

“New York City is one of the world’s most attractive and vibrant travel destinations, welcoming record numbers of visitors year after year. We’re very pleased to be joining again with The Broadway Collection to present a one-of-a-kind Broadway and Off Broadway experience for this year’s IPW attendees, emceed by the beloved Cyndi Lauper,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta.

The goal of the “NYC Center Stage” today’s luncheon, following on the heels of the American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards on June 9, is to promote Broadway and the nation’s number one big city tourism destination to buyers and media attending International Pow Wow from around the world

“The Broadway Collection is pleased to be partnering with NYC & Company on the ‘NYC Center Stage Luncheon’ to showcase the best that Broadway has to offer,” said Bob Hofmann, Senior Director of Broadway Inbound. “International Pow Wow provides us with an opportunity to reach a very influential audience of international travel buyers and media and we were happy to provide them with this authentic Broadway experience for the second time.”

Ten NYC-based member companies traveled with NYC & Company this week to attend International Pow Wow (IPW), a five-day travel trade show in Las Vegas, NV, June 8-12, which is considered the largest generator of U.S. travel. Accompanying NYC & Company are: Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc.; BR Guest Hospitality; Group Sales Box Office/Broadway.com; Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; The London NYC; The New York Pass; New York Yankees; The Shops at Columbus Circle; Top of the Rock Observation Deck; and TravelAdvocates.

Last year, New York City welcomed a record 52 million visitors (41 million domestic, 11 million international), generating direct spending of $36.9 billion and $55.3 billion in economic impact. In 2013, the City expects to welcome an estimated 52.9 million visitors. The tourism industry is the City’s fifth largest business, employing 363,100 people. Since 2006, the City’s market share of overseas travel has expanded from 28 to 33 percent, with each increase in share point representing $750 million in direct spending. The City’s new tourism goal, established during IPW last year, is $70 billion in economic impact and 55 million annual visitors by 2015. In 2013, NYC & Company is estimating that 52.9 million visitors will come to the City.

For IPW updates, please refer to the hashtag #IPWNYC. For Broadway Collection updates, use #BROADWOW.

About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For the official source on all there is to see and do in New York City, go to nycgo.com.

About Broadway Inbound and The Broadway Collection:
The Broadway Collection is a part of Broadway Inbound, a Shubert organization company with decades of experience in the theatre and travel industries as well as wholesale ticket distribution. Broadway Inbound offers easy group and FIT ticketing at great net rates for tour operators and travel industry partners to The Metropolitan Opera and 17 distinctive, top tier shows. Broadway Inbound provides various technologies to give wholesale partners access to extensive inventory directly from venue box offices' primary ticketing systems including its sister company, Telecharge.com. Please visit broadwaycollection.com or facebook.com/thebroadwaycollection for more information.